THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 12, 1994 TAG: 9411120348
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Long : 123 lines
Virginia will try to silence speculation that it may be on the brink of another late-season collapse when it plays Maryland in Scott Stadium today.
Coach George Welsh, who does not consider last week's upset to Duke as a fatal blow, admits losing to the Terps would be evidence that the Cavaliers are in trouble.
Welsh won't be the only one trying to determine the strength of the Cavaliers' pulse beat. Bowl scouts are interested, too.
The Cavaliers, 6-2 and 4-2 in the ACC, still need one more Division I-A victory to qualify for postseason play, and may need to win two of their final three games to convince bowl scouts of their worthiness.
Virginia seemed on track to possibly a major bowl bid before a 28-25 loss to Duke ended its six-game winning streak and jarred memories of late-season slumps the last two years.
The Cavaliers have games remaining against Virginia Tech and North Carolina State the next two weekends.
Maryland, which lost to State last week, is regarded as the softest of the final opponents.
``We can survive Duke, but this (Maryland) game is the one that is going to tell a lot about our team and how we finish out the season,'' Welsh said.
After losing 16 consecutive games to Maryland between 1972 and 1987, Virginia has won four of the last six, including the last two.
Although a two-touchdown favorite, the Cavaliers cannot expect an easy afternoon, especially if Terps quarterback Scott Milanovich is permitted to continue his hot streak.
Milanovich has completed 79 of his last 103 passes for 925 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last three games.
``He is in a zone right now, no doubt about it,'' N.C. State coach Mike O'Cain said, whose team won a 47-45 scoring duel. ``He was right on the money the entire game against us.''
Against the Wolfpack, the 6-foot-4 redshirt junior broke the NCAA mark for consecutive passes completed with 23 - his first 18 plus five from the week before - and for passing percentage in a game with at least 30 completions (.869).
He was 33-for-38 for 341 yards. His five touchdowns gave him 43 for his career, breaking Boomer Esiason's record of 42.
He needed just 23 games to set the mark, compared to Esiason's 31.
O'Cain said the best hope for Virginia is to put pressure on Milanovich and ``make him move his feet.''
``We know that we can't give him time to get set and find his receivers,'' said Welsh. ``What he has done in the last three games is almost unbelieveable.''
Welsh added it is not only Milanovich's passing that he is worried about.
Once primarily a run-and-shoot team, Maryland has expanded its offense in recent weeks and has showed an improved defense most of the season.
``They have jazzed up their offense and their sweeps and counter plays make them tougher to defend,'' Welsh said.
``They have been much more productive the last three weeks.''
Welsh admitted his biggest concern is how his team reacts to the Duke loss.
The signs point to a good recovery.
``We have had good enthusiasm in practice, and I think we have bounced back mentally,'' Welsh said.
``We have to slow down Milanovich and get some pressure on him, but the mental aspect of this game is crucial. We have to be sharp. We have to be solid. And we have to do it for 60 minutes.'' MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Maryland's Scott Milanovich completed 33 of 38 passes for 341 yards
and five TDs in a 47-45 loss to N.C. State last week.
ACC AT A GLANCE
MARYLAND vs. VIRGINIA
Where: Scott Stadium (40,000) in Charlottesville.
When: 1 p.m.
Records: Virginia is 6-2, 4-2 in the ACC; Maryland is 4-5, 2-5.
TV: None.
Radio: WTAR 790-AM; WLQM 101.7-FM.
Tickets: Available at gate.
Key to the game: Virginia's defense, best geared to stopping
rushing attacks, must put pressure on Maryland quarterback Scott
Milanovich, who has completed 79 percent of his passes the last
three games.
Favorite: Virginia by 14.
DUKE vs. NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.
When: 3:30 p.m.
TV: WAVY.
Records: Duke is 8-1, 5-1 in ACC; N.C. State is 6-2, 4-1.
Fast fact: A ninth victory by Duke would tie school record for
most wins in a season, set in 1933 and 1936.
Favorite: N.C. State by 2 1/2.
NORTH CAROLINA vs. WAKE FOREST
Where: Groves Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
When: 1 p.m.
Records: North Carolina is 6-3, 3-3; Wake Forest is 2-7, 0-6.
Fast fact: UNC is 9-4 at the Deacons' stadium.
Favorite: North Carolina by 23.
GEORGIA TECH vs. CLEMSON
Where: Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.
When: 3:30 p.m.
Records: Georgia Tech is 1-7, 0-6; Clemson is 4-5, 3-4.
Fast fact: Tech coach George O'Leary is making his head coaching
debut after taking over from Bill Lewis earlier in the week.
Favorite: Clemson by 7.
NOTRE DAME vs. FLORIDA STATE
Where: Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
When: 12:30 p.m.
TV: WVEC.
Records: Florida State is 7-1, 7-0 in ACC; Notre Dame is 5-3.
Fast fact: The series between the two is tied, 1-1.
Favorite: Florida State by 12.
by CNB